William Bryce Ratliff, age 80, of Cullman, Alabama passed away on Friday, December 17, 2021. Bryce was born September 14, 1941 in Blountsville, Alabama.
Bryce is survived by his daughter: Adrienne Ratliff (John) Hardie; his son: Phillip Warren (Abby) Ratliff; his grandchildren: John T. Hardie, Rachael Ratliff Payne, James Worth Ratliff, Katelyn Hardie, William Hardie, Bailey Ratliff, Avery Ratliff and Millie Bryce Ratliff; his great-grandchild: Vera James Payne and his uncle: Bruce Ratliff.
Bryce was preceded in death by his son: Whitney Moore Ratliff; his parents: James Worth and Helen Irene Bailey Ratliff; his brother: Worth Warren “Bud” Ratliff; his sister: Shirley Ratliff Putney and his grandparents: Vernon and Myrtle Ratliff, and Bill and Cora Bailey.
Bryce attended the University of Tennessee before graduating with a degree in business from Jacksonville State University. He went to work at Ratliff’s, a family-owned department store chain with locations throughout North Alabama, working in the shoe department and as manager of the Arab, Alabama location. Bryce managed the chain’s flagship store in Cullman from 1975 to 1985, overseeing the store’s move from downtown Cullman to the Towne Square Shopping Center around 1978.
Bryce continued his retail career as owner of Smith-Robert’s in Griffin, Georgia before moving into clothing manufacturing as co-owner, with son Whitney Ratliff, of a mill operation in Moulton.
Bryce is remembered for his quick wit and lively family stories.
A celebration of life graveside service for Bryce will be held Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 2:00 p.m at Mt. Tabor Cemetery, in Blountsville, AL.
